new year brings renewed focus for deldot dbes...and the online and print dbe directory. she also...
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Networking & MarketingBeing in the Right Places with the Right PeopleThis initiative provides opportunities tomeet and network with prime businesspartners in the construction industry. Toaccomplish this goal, DelDOT willsponsor a fixed number of certified DBE
firms as members of the DelawareContractors Association (DCA).Selected DBE firms must commit toactively participate in the events andfunctions of the DCA for thesponsorship that will cover the costs ofsuch activities.
Financial Coaching & Improvement Assistance in Financial Planning &Management from a ProfessionalOnce DelDOT has engaged a professionalfinancial consultant, DBE firms will beselected to undergo a full financialassessment. This assessment will serve as abenchmark for evaluating improvement andthe basis for a financial improvement plan.The plans will include specific steps andactions that need to be taken to improve thefinancial posture of the participating firm.To further assist DBE business owners, afinancial consultant will meet with eachfirm at least monthly for nine months.
Contractors Assistance &Participation SeriesA Training Program to increase capacity andcompetitivenessThe mission of this training is to increasethe ability of participant firms in buildingcapacity and, in turn, their ability tocompete for larger contracts. The trainingwill consist of a ten-week course, throughthe use of a contracted facilitator. Plannedtopics include: estimating and bidding;accounting and banking; marketing andbusiness opportunity development; projectmanagement, scheduling, and cost control.
Construction Management Training Adding to the skills of DBE ProfessionalServices FirmsThis initiative will assist in improving theparticipation of certified DBE firms invarious construction management
New Year Brings Renewed Focus for DelDOT DBEs
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)encourages doing business
with Delaware Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs)
Winter 2011 • Vol. 5, Issue 1 A quarterly newsletter published by the DelDOT DBE Program
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Along with this year’s funding allocations comes a renewed effort throughDelDOT’s DBE Supportive Services Program to help disadvantaged firmscertified through the program grow and increase business.
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services (DBE/SS) Programwas developed as an outgrowth of the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise(DBE) program. Its primary purpose is to provide training, assistance and services tocertified DBEs to increase their activity in the program and to facilitate developmentinto viable, self-sufficient organizations capable of competing for, and performing onfederally assisted highway projects.
Since 1982, Congress has authorized $10 million annually to accomplish theseobjectives. For Fiscal Year 2011, DelDOT received $262,500 to implement thefollowing four program initiatives:
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Meet the DelDOT DBE Supportive Services Team
Carla E. ElliottCivil Rights AdministratorIn addition to overseeing all Civil Rights Programs for DelDOT,which includes compliance to Title VI and other civil rightsprograms and investigation of allegations of discrimination,Carla’s responsibilities include: administration and monitoringof the On the Job Training (OJT) Supportive Services Program;contractor compliance/payment monitoring; and investigationof allegations of DBE fraud.
Travis CrawfordDBE Program ManagerTravis oversees daily operations of the DelDOT DBE Programand serves to promote the advancement of DelDOT's DBE policyand to fulfill the purpose of the federal program. He is responsiblefor reviewing and developing DBE goals on all federal-fundedconstruction projects and professional services agreements. Travisanalyzes, researches, and interprets applicable laws and regulationsto ensure that the program and its participants comply with theprovisions of 49 CFR Part 26. Additionally, his responsibilitiesinclude reviewing DBE subcontract agreements, federal reporting,participating in DBE recruitment and outreach, reviewing DBEcertification applications, and serving as DelDOT's Minority andWomen Business Liaison in accordance with Executive Order 14.
Hazel Hall & Ramon CeballosDBE/EO SpecialistBoth Hazel and Ramon review new DBE applications and assistin the three-year and annual re-certifications of DBEs.Additional responsibilities include: project monitoring;contractor compliance; investigation of complaints ofdiscrimination; prompt payment/payment monitoring;attending pre-construction meetings; and outreach activities.
Linda MilliganSupportive Services CoordinatorLinda is the newest addition to the DelDOT DBE team. Herresponsibilities include production of the DBE Newsletter;coordinating various Supportive Services activities and functions;and organizing training, networking, and information sessions.
Amy MillerDBE Administrative SpecialistAmy performs the role as the first point of contact for DBEs andis responsible for the maintenance of all DBE contact informationand the online and print DBE Directory. She also interacts andserves as a liaison between the Civil Rights section, primecontractors, DBE firms, and OJT candidates.
activities for which outside consultants areengaged. The training will focus on areaswhere there are opportunities to provideDelDOT approved services on federallyfunded projects. Participants successfullycompleting the training will receive acertificate.
To participate in any of the initiatives, anapplication process is required. Applicantswill be screened and accepted based on
defined criteria for each initiative. Thosefirms evidencing the most potential forgrowth and improvement will be selected.Upon acceptance, each will be required tosign a commitment agreement to fulfill theexpectations of each initiative.
“As we further implement theseinitiatives,” Civil Rights AdministratorCarla E. Elliott explained, “we willperiodically be reaching out for input from
the DBE community, the prime businesspartner community, and others to sharetheir experiences; improve on theinitiatives we have developed; and identifyadditional methods to aid in the growthand development of DBE firms.”
For more information, contact LindaMilligan at [email protected] 302-760-4835.
Carla E. Elliott Travis Crawford Hazel Hall Ramon Ceballos Linda Milligan Amy Miller
New Year Brings Renewed Focus for DelDOT DBEs(continued from page 1)
Follow the money and you may findopportunity to attain federalcontracts beyond DelDOT withother Delaware agencies plus otherstates like Pennsylvania, New Jerseyand Maryland.
When you find out what agencies arereceiving federal funds, determine ifthe agencies have disadvantagedbusiness goals and then market yourDBE status. You may be surprised byhow much opportunity is out therewhen you market yourself as acertified disadvantaged woman orminority business.
In Delaware, DelDOT may be the onlyfederal Disadvantaged BusinessEnterprise (DBE) certifying agent;however, DelDOT is not the onlydepartment receiving federal funds andmandated to participate in meetingDBE goals. For example, the DelawareRiver and Bay Authority (DRBA) usesDBE certification to calculate goals forfederally assisted projects similar toDelDOT. Additionally, Delawareagencies the Department of NaturalResources and Environmental Control(DNREC) and Division of PublicHealth (DPH ) receive federal fundsfrom the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA).
DNREC’s EPA funds are mostlyawarded to municipalities while DPH’sfunds are directly tied toenvironmental public health projectsincluding the federally-funded HealthyHomes awareness initiative whichcovers indoor/outdoor air quality, risksto children, and preventive measures toexposure during home renovations.
The Delaware Office of Minority andWomen Business Enterprise(OMWBE) Director Jay Burksexplained that there are differencesbetween DelDOT and EPA DBEgoal calculations. “Once the EPAgoals are calculated, they are for allEPA funded projects. DelDOTcalculates DBE goals on a project byproject and task by task basis.”
Burks noted that increasing thenumber of North American IndustryClassification System (NAICS) codesthat certified DBEs represent couldpotentially increase DBE goals. Healso provided a few additional benefits:• Your DBE certificationautomatically certifies you with thefollowing entities: DelawareOWMBE, DRBA, DelawareTransit Corporation (DTC), andthe Sussex County EngineeringDepartment; and may provebeneficial when certifying to dobusiness in other states;
• The EPA and other federal agenciesrecognizes your DBE certificationas it is a federal certification; and
• You can market your DBEcertification when looking for bidopportunities with other stateDOT, EPA, and federally fundedprojects. Ask if there are DBEgoals for the project.
For more information on how youcan get the most out of your DBEstatus, contact DelDOT DBEProgram Manager Travis Crawford [email protected] orOWMBE Director Jay Burks [email protected].
Marketing Your DBE Status Beyond DelDOT
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Finding DelawareBid Opportunities is EasyWith the new online State of Delaware Bid Solicitation Directory,www.bids.delaware.gov, you can nowsearch in one place for bid opportunitiesacross all agencies, including DelDOT bidopportunities.
The directory provides an index of links tovarious state agencies across all three branchesof state government that have an openRequest for Information (RFI), Invitation toBid (ITB), and/or a Request for Proposal(RFP). You can also receive notification basedon your profile via email by registering onlineat https://diss.state.de.us/DWS/public.dissfor the Vendor Contracts NotificationServices.
Effective January 6, the DelDOT online siteno longer contains advertisements for publicworks, professional services, materiels, orequipment. However, it continues to containgeneral information, forms, and instructionson doing business with DelDOT. A link onthe DelDOT website to the Delaware BidSolicitation Directory makes it easy to searchfor DelDOT bid opportunities.
Here’s how it worksOnce on the website, click on theadvertisement to view detailed information.The website contains current advertisementsfor all state agencies and has the ability toprovide sorting of displayed information;RSS feeds; and notification of your selectedtypes of advertisements.
The DelDOT website will continue to addinformation on an on-going basis, so check the site often for specific informationon doing business with DelDOT at:http://www.deldot.gov/information/business/.
AAHA–Applied Archaeology & HistoryAssociates, Inc.Archaeology and cultural resourcesmanagement and consulting
Airport Design Consultants, Inc.Civil, Electrical, Structural EngineeringConsulting; Other Heavy & Civil EngineeringConstruction (Airline/Airport Industry)
Amick Research (DBA: Raptor Component Supply)Marketing research services; motor vehicleparts & accessories, automotive glass, tiresand windshield wiper blades
Apostle Construction Company, Inc.Roofing contractor-asphalt, rubber, shingles,metal siding, vinyl, wood, aluminum
April S. Lee & Associates, LLCBroker of custom fabricated machine parts andsheet, ornamental, & architectural metal
Astec, Inc.Remediation services: asbestos abatementservices; asbestos removal contractor
Chilton Engineering, Inc.Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering,surveying and mapping, and constructionmanagement for highways, roads, streets andbridges
Circle Janitorial Supplies, Inc.Dealer of janitorial and sanitary equipment andsupplies including janitorial chemicals
Commercial Contracting Supplies, LLCBroker of roofing materials, solar panels, metalwall & roofing panels
Decision Distribution, LLCDealer of plumbing & heating equipment,lumber, plywood, electrical equipment, paint,varnish & related supplies. Broker of bulkmetal, steel rail, industrial machinery, industrialsupplies; brick, stone & related constructionmaterial
Delmar Land, Inc.Civil engineering services, geotechnical anderosion control; construction management forsingle family building & residential remodeling
E. H. T. Traceries, Inc.Historic preservation consulting, architecturalhistory and resource evaluation
Ecoservices, LLCEnvironmental remediation and consultingservices
Filec Communications, LLCFiber optic cable installation; construction,traffic and design engineering(telecommunications, fiber optic);telecommunications & utilities managementconsulting; design, installation and visualinspection of fiber optic andtelecommunications pathways and spaces
Fusion Foods, Inc.Fast-food Restaurant; food concessioncontractor (e.g. airports, motorways)
Globenet Telecommunications, LLCElectrical contractor; fiber optic cable (excepttransmission lines) installation
H & S Environmental, Inc.Environmental remediation services: Asbestosremoval surveys, deleading, hazardous wastesite professionals, lead paint inspection, toxicuse reduction planning, underground storagetanks, wastewater treatment
Insource Insurance Solutions, LLCCommercial business insurance services;bonding, workers comp cost reduction, generalliability and audit dispute services
J. Murphy Consulting, LLCCivil Engineering; topographic surveying;computer-aided design and engineering services
KNJ, Inc. (DBA: Garcia Construction)Highway construction, concrete wall barrier,curb & gutter, sidewalks & flatwork
M & G HaulingDump trucking (e.g. gravel, sand, top soil);snow clearing, highways and bridges
M. Wilson Accounting & BookkeepingServices, LLCAccounting services (except CPAs); income taxpreparation
MCS Consulting, Inc.Construction management, claims review,schedule review, CPM scheduling
Mundle & Associates, Inc.Management, Human Resources, and publictransportation management consultingservices
Nasir and Associates, LLCSupplier of highway safety constructionmaterials and safety equipment; projectmanagement
National Transport Services, LLCTransportation, shipping agent and freightforwarding broker
Phoenix Steel, Inc.Install reinforcing steel in concrete; supplyrebar & miscellaneous steel
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DBEs Certified During 2010The following businesses have successfully been awarded DelDOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification in 2010. For more information about the services these businesses and all DelDOT certified DBEs offer, visit the online Unified Directory of Certified DBE Firms atwww.deldot.gov/information/business/dbe/bulletin_board.shtml and click on DBE Resources.
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Message from DBE Program ManagerAs we enter a new year, I find it natural to reflect on the previousaccomplishments of the DelDOT DBE Program and the DBECommunity, as well as look forward to our goals for 2011 and beyond. Arecent federal assessment of our program served to support the assertionthat DelDOT has made remarkable improvements in the DBE programwithin the past few years.
I firmly believe that the successes or failures of our program are a mirrorimage of the effort given by all of its participants. Here are a few highlightsfrom 2010:
• Hiring of a DBE Supportive Services Coordinator• Hiring of an additional DBE/EO Specialist• Increased project monitoring and documentation of contractor
compliance• Revised the DBE Program Plan (available on the DBE site). Added
steps for investigation and corrective action of non-compliance,enforcement against fraudulent activities, procedures for processingNAICS code updates, etc.
• Continued improvement of our data gathering, monitoring, andfollow-up process for both construction and professional servicecontracts
• Enhanced oversight of DBE firm Commercially Useful Function onfederal projects
• Improved turnaround time for DBE certification applications• Met federal timeline for all required DBE standard reports• DBE program staff received training in Title VI Training, Fraud
Awareness, Internal EEO, DBE Certification, Investigating ExternalComplaints, and Effectively Responding to Title VII, ADA, andADEA Charges, among others.
In closing, I encourage you to choose to participate in the DBE program.Take advantage of the opportunities that are created by your certificationby getting involved early and often.
If you wish to bid as a prime contractor, look to use other DBEs aspartners. If you wish to be a subcontractor, get involved while the primecontractor is estimating a bid. Let them know the service that you canprovide on the job and how you can help them meet the DBE goal on thecontract. Form working relationships with others; communicate; andstrive to be a dependable, professional, skilled, and flexible firm.
As always, please contact any DBE program staff member with yourcomments or questions. I wish all of you a safe and fulfilling 2011.
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DBEs Certified During 2010(continued from page 5)
Prosperity Construction, LLCBuilding weatherization, insulation & drywallinstallation; wood framing; wall painting; floortile installation
Quest Corporation of America, Inc.Marketing consulting, advertising and relatedservices; public relations consulting; graphicdesign; marketing analysis & research
S & E Sheet Metal, LLCInstalling architectural metal contractors;panel systems and metal roofing
The McKissack, Inc.Commercial & institutional buildingconstruction management
Tom Sawyer ProductionTelephone call center services
Urban Collaborative ServicesLand use, transportation, streetscape andurban planning & design; transportation sitelocation consulting services
Urban GIS, Inc.Geographic Information System (GIS) BaseMapping Services
Utilisite, Inc.Sewer, water line construction; sewerconstruction; construction management forwater & sewer line; clearing & snow removal,underground tank removal (except hazardousmaterial); excavation contractors; land clearing
Valerie J. Southern – TransportationConsultant, LLCConsulting services: logistics management,traffic engineering, & administrativemanagement
Travis L. Crawford
DelDOT ContactsDBE Program StaffCarla Elliott, Civil Rights Administrator 302-760-2555 • [email protected]
Travis Crawford, DBE Program Manager 302-760-2032 • [email protected]
Amy Miller, DBE Administrative Specialist 302-760-2035 • [email protected]
Ramon Ceballos, DBE/EO Specialist 302-760-2029 • [email protected]
Hazel V. Hall, DBE/EO Specialist 302-760-2054 • [email protected]
Linda Milligan, Supportive Services Coordinator302-760-4835 • [email protected]
Contract Administration Jim Hoagland, Contract Services Administrator 302-760-2036 • [email protected]
Annette Smith, Administrative Specialist 302-760-2028 • [email protected]
Consultant Control Wendy Henry, Consultant Control Coordinator 302-760-2531 • [email protected]
Susan Robinson, Administrative Specialist 302-760-2034 • [email protected]
Kim Smith, Administrative Specialist 302-760-2089 • [email protected]
Competitively Bid Contracts Scott Gottfried, Competitively Bid Contracts Coordinator 302-760-2033 • [email protected]
Connie Ivins, Administrative Specialist 302-760-2027 • [email protected]
For copies of bid documents, contact:
Kathy Spanarelli, Operations Support Specialist302-760-2495 • [email protected]
Karen Martz, Operations Support Specialist302-760-2031 • [email protected]
Delaware Department of TransportationDBE Program OfficeP.O. Box 778Dover, DE 19903
Bid OpportunitiesFor hundreds of contracting opportunities, visit DelDOT’s online DBE website atwww.deldot.gov/information/business/dbe/index.shtml and click on Upcoming Projects.